Temporal Profile of Olfactory Dysfunction in COVID-19

Loftus, Patricia A.; Roland, Lauren T.; Gurrola, Jose G.; Cheung, Steven W.; Chang, Jolie L.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with olfactory dysfunction, but the evolution of the olfactory loss and timeline to recovery are largely unknown. This study examines changes in smell sensitivity in COVID-19–positive (COVID+) and COVID-19–negative (COVID–) viral illness during the initial weeks after infection. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort comparison. SETTING: National anonymous surveys. METHODS: Survey participants were queried about smell sensitivity and general health status at the time of COVID-19 testing and in the weeks that followed. RESULTS: In total, 375 (174 COVID+, 201 COVID–) participants completed the survey and 132 (62 COVID+, 70 COVID–) participants completed the 2-week follow-up survey. Normal smell in the COVID+ cohort was less frequent at the time of testing and at follow up (P < .05). Dynamic changes in smell sensitivity in the COVID+ cohort were more frequent in the initial weeks (P < .001). In those with normosmia at the start of infection, 38% of the COVID+ cohort reported worsening smell compared to only 8% in the COVID– cohort (P < .05). Recovery of overall health was associated with normosmia at the time of infection and improvement of smell sensitivity within weeks of infection. CONCLUSION: The COVID+ cohort showed greater dynamic change in smell sensitivity and a higher rate of persistent olfactory dysfunction in the weeks after infection. Normal smell at the time of COVID-19 infection may still worsen before recovery. Overall health recovery after viral illness is associated with improvement in smell sensitivity and the absence of initial anosmia or hyposmia.